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My thoughts on my first Class D amp

I recently started 2 threads on this site, Narrowing down choices in a Power Amp  and also High Power Amp, Does it Matter at Lower Volumes.

I am grateful for all the input, and thought I would share the results of those posts.

Summary is: I have a Baetis Audio Server, going into a T+A Dac8, into a Mark Levinson ( ML ) 326S into a ML532H power amp. The amp loses a channel on occasion, with strange popping noises sometimes, other times just a single ( not very loud pop ). Time to get this amp fixed or buy another amp.

Well, I am getting the amp fixed, but I bought a Class D RCVTech set of monoblocks. 

So, having said all this, WOW. Very happy.

My wife and I sat down last night, and played a variety of music, from the Baetis server. No new music, no streaming, existing tunes we have listened to for years. Nothing but an amp swap.

The RCVTech MPA-1200 monoblocks 

1)  definitely better stereo separation, 

2) definitely way better bass, these monoblocks double down to 700 wpc at 4 ohms, something the ML532H did not do. A world of difference on bass

3) overall better sound, even at low volume.  Not bright or fatiguing at any time. 

4) more detail, listening to existing tracks we have owned for years, more small background detail, 

I wasn't fully sure of what I was buying, but, now, I realize that while I will repair the ML532H, its future use is in question. I am keeping these Monoblock RCVTech MPA-1200 amps in place. 

The buying process was easy, the right questions were asked, delivery was fast, for a customized build.

I have the Class A input with 380 wpc at 8 ohms, 700 wpc at 4 ohms, 700 wpc at 2 ohms, THD + N = 0.0009%.

Since this is Class D, not sure how much more money I would have to spend to better this with a conventional build Class A amp?  I was considering Pass Labs, who were suggesting XA100.8 or larger.  Some day I may actually get to hear these Pass Lab amps, but, there is no urgency, now.

 

robeffy
jaymark's avatar
jaymark
541 posts
 

Glad u got an amp that u enjoy.  I tend to collect amps well beyond what I can listen to at any one time.  I have two class D amps - PSAudio M1200s and LSA Voyager Gan amps.  The have both been modded though the do sound different.  My modded JC1 Parasound monoblocks are now in my reference system.  All three amps sound different.  However, neither class D amp has the meat on the bones presence and grunt of the JC1s.  Both class D amps are exceptionally smooth, a very noticeable class D attribute to my ears.

 

Which one is better?  Beats the heck out of me.  What I am convinced of is that there is no complete convergence in high end class D and high end class A/AB.  Some will prefer one class over the other.   I really like my high end class D amps, for sure.  They sound great.  I am a bit more enthralled with my A/AB amp that I will though continue to rotate with them.  And, I will continue to get a chuckle out of the posting wars on Audiogon about which sounds better, the demise of class A/AB boat anchors, and the everso green sweet sounding light in the loafers class D amps.

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,585 posts
 

Hadn’t heard of those.  Not surprised by the good results though. 
 

Pass amps are a different beast, known for a warmer Class A sound.  I am a Class D fan but have yet to hear one that sounds warm.  Easy on the ear, musical, neutral, quiet, dynamic yes. Warm, no.  Eq or DSP is a good way to add that if needed.  Also speaker selection matters.  One of my Class D amps with a DSP tweak or two via Roon to Sonus Faber speakers produces beautiful sound with a touch of warmth.  To my other more “neutral”, speakers, not so much.  Overall synergy matters.   Good Class D allows whatever it is that feeds it and what it drives to shine with little or no coloration of its own,  which to me is a very good way to cook up the exact sound you prefer in the end. 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,994 posts
 

@jaymark This comment of yours caught my attention:

I really like my high end class D amps, for sure.  They sound great.  I am a bit more enthralled with my A/AB amp that I will though continue to rotate with them.

After trying a several Class D amps – AGD Audion, NAD M23, and a DIY Hypex based unit, I am in agreement with your comment about Class D lacking "meat on the bones" and "presence." I also agree that not all amps can do everything, so this is not a negative for Class D, though of course it would cool if they could gain those attributes.

My question to you is how you would rate the Class A/AB amps against Class D for the attributes that Class D brings – quickness, clarity, speed, and whatever else you think Class D does well.

The reason I ask is that, if I get the gist of your final remark, I also suspect that the "demise" of A/AB is really a head-fake by the Class D marketers. 

I'm currently on the lookout to try a Class A/AB amp that might do both presence (à la Class A) and quickness (à la Class D). I'm thinking, maybe a Hegel H20 or something else.

Any comments on all this?

 

corelli
1,167 posts
 

@hilde45 

My Marantz Ruby, which uses Hypex outputs, does not sound the least bit thin or lacking "meat on the bones".  For me it has never been class as much as implementation of a given design.

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